A simple story [Wrightworth/ Narumitsu]

Mountains and freedom

Phoenix and Pearl had now arrived at the temple, it was freezing cold and all Phoenix could think about was poor Maya stuck inside that temple with no exit. 

She must be so lonely and cold... 

"Pearl," Phoenix had a sense of determination in his voice. "Are you ready?"

Pearl looked up at Phoenix and grinned, she ran off on her own. Speeding her way through the police still wandering around the grounds.

Phoenix and Pearl searched for a few hours, gathering evidence and anything else they could find. By the end of the day they ended up with quite a lot of evidence, finally able to build a proper case and defence. 

After visiting their last location, Pearl and Phoenix went back to the entrance where they saw Miles standing with their client, Iris. Phoenix walked over to talk to them, friendly conversation would be nice. Just as he made his way towards the gates, the ground began to tremble. A small tremor at first which grew louder and more violent with each step he took. 

Soon it was too much and Phoenix fell to the ground, the roaring continued, echoing through chasms and gaps in the mountain range. Whilst struggling to balance himself, all Phoenix could think about was Miles, the pure terror which he would be experiencing. The engulfing panic, the shock and frozen state he would be in. Miles's pain was his pain, Phoenix could feel his quickened heartbeats. He knew that vulnerable Miles. 

Once the shaking stopped and the ground rested, Phoenix got up, pulling Pearl to his side. She seemed fine, maybe a bit shocked but nothing like the state Miles was in.

He was a broken man.

There on the ground lay Miles, clutching his knees, frozen in place. He was in his own world, eyes wide and hands so tense they seemed locked in place. 

Phoenix slowly and quietly walked over, careful not to be too loud he sat down. Gently placing his hand on Miles's shoulder who jumped.

"Miles...It's ok. It's fine, we're ok. It's over."

Miles looked at him angrily, he seemed more upset with himself more than anything else. His eyes both on the verge of tears and as though he were about to scream.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Miles..."

"I said I don't want to talk about."

"But-"

"Phoenix I should have known this would happen I should have been prepared." Miles began speaking faster panicking as he spoke.

"Miles please-"

"Phoenix look don't you see! I should have known. Because of my foolish mistake I just lost your client. It's all my fault! I should have known! I should have brought more people. Phoenix, what if we can't find her?"

Phoenix could see that Iris was gone but he didn't seem to mind too much, with all these police around and surveillance how could they not find her? She was in a remote mountain region. There was nothing to panic about.

This was exactly what he told Miles but it was like he wasn't listening, Miles stood up and rushed towards the temple. Phoenix chased after him calling out for him to turn back, Miles couldn't hear any of it.

They arrived at the entrance of a cave which Phoenix had investigated a few hours before, there, by the doors stood Iris with Franziska by her side. 

"So you came here."

"Sorry Phoenix I didn't mean to run off like that, I was scared."

She looked over at Miles who was glaring daggers, his fists clenched and still panting after sprinting after her.

"I-I apologise Mr Edgeworth, I didn't mean to cause such... distress."

Miles turned to face a different direction, his eyes set up on a tapestry, before announcing that he would go to the gardens to continue investigating.

Phoenix's gaze settled upon a set of locks hung onto a caged door behind him, they seemed tightly chained and twined together. He remembered seeing them before, last time he had been unsuccessful in unlocking them.

"Iris, do you know anything about the locks behind you?"

Her faced turned a soft red and she looked off to the side.

"Yes..."

"What is it?"

"Phoenix listen to me and don't panic alright? I, I have suspicion that Maya might be there."

"What?!"

He tried to make his way to the caged door before quickly being pulled back by Iris, she carefully explained her theory about the door and that it would take at least a day to undo all of the locks on the door. Phoenix couldn't wait that long, he had to know Maya was okay.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. Maya has a strong spirit, she won't give up that easily."

Phoenix stood defeated, he knew Iris was right but he couldn't help but worry. He decided that the best thing was to cool off and go talk to Miles. There was something he needed to sort out.

Phoenix made his way to the garden where he saw Miles standing there in the centre, looking at the ground, zoned out. Phoenix walked over to him, trying to see if he had caught Miles's attention. Suddenly, without looking up Miles began to speak.

"Leave me be, please."

"Miles are you sure your okay? You seem out of it."

"I'm fine."

Phoenix took a step closer, he could feel Miles's trembling breath, he could hear the shakiness in his voice.

"Miles look at me."

Miles stare remained fixed on the floor. Gently, Phoenix raised his head until they were at eye level. Miles's eyes were red and still glazed over from crying.

"It was my fault..."

Without even thinking Phoenix pulled Miles into a hug, taking in the embrace. He could feel Miles tight grip on his shoulders as a light sob flew through the air. Phoenix pulled Miles back and wiped the tears from his eyes. Miles took in a deep breath and the both of them sat down on the ground, laying their heads in the snow.

"Miles it was never your fault. You couldn't have known. Stop blaming yourself for things out of your hands, your struggling and I can see that but I want you to know. It wasn't your fault. It usually isn't, stop acting like you deserve the hate you receive. And just know I'm always here to help you out."

The two of them sat in silence, letting the stars form around them until it had truly become night. Phoenix got up and pulled Miles by the hand, they both stood up together and Phoenix suggested they go to his office for some nice warm tea.

A/N

I think I've dragged this case on for too long and I really am sorry. The next chapter will take place after Maya has been found and the case is over. There will definitely be NaruMitsu/WrightWorth *wink *wink.